Alarms simultaneously went off at 2 o’ clock in the afternoon, sounding the start of the supposed earthquake, with scenarios of casualty evacuation, collapsed structures and fire simulated to test the response of rescue teams, preparedness and awareness of military personnel in their respective work places.
This earthquake drill will enhance the Command’s scenario-based preparedness, response plans and recovery exercises. Lapses were taken into account during the conduct of the drill and later evaluated for revision.
Brig. Gen. Cesar M. Idio, Assistant Division Commander was satisfied with the cooperation, performance and participation of every concerned. “Pro-active awareness and preparedness are the key factors that will strengthen and ensure the survival of each and every one against an earthquake threat,” Idio said.
Major General Raul M. Farnacio, Commander, 8ID in his remarks; “the 8th Infantry Division has organized the Emergency Response Company who will serve as the “first responder” when disaster or calamity arises.” Farnacio said.
“We are willing to share the experiences of our units as well as the skills that we learned in disaster preparedness. We have that skill and resources to react on simultaneous earthquake situations that we can employ to prevent, if not mitigate loss of lives that this disaster may bring in the region”.